Star Wars

With lofty words and A-list friends, Jaka Bizilj has cultivated the image of a liberal humanitarian and opponent of Russian aggression. Behind the scenes, he is involved with a large network of questionable film music performances. Employees tell of random firings, organizational chaos, and the ruthless exploitation of vulnerable Ukrainian musicians.

by Quincy Mackay and Jeffrey Arlo Brown October 21, 2026October 22, 2026

Photos (f.l.t.r.): Papst Franziskus (Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons • Kamala Harris (Lawrence Jackson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) • Jaka Bizilj (Sportsforpeace, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons) • Hillary Clinton (U.S. Department of State, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) • Leonardo di Caprio (Raph_PH, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons) • Volodymyr Zelenskyy (President Of Ukraine from Україна, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons) • Additional graphics by Magnific • Collage: VAN

In February 2026, a foundation called Cinema for Peace held a gala dinner at Berlin’s Hotel Adlon, arguably the city’s fanciest venue. Hosted by Bob Geldof and featuring a keynote speech by Hillary Clinton, the gala awarded prizes for “International Green Film” or “The Most Valuable Documentary of the Year.” On the red carpet, the step and repeat backdrop asked, “Will democracy / will humankind / will the planet survive?”

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Quincy Mackay

… is a freelance culture journalist based in Berlin. More by Quincy Mackay

Jeffrey Arlo Brown

… has been an editor at VAN since 2015. He’s the author of The Life and Music of Gérard Grisey: Delirium and Form (Boydell & Brewer), and his journalism has appeared in The Baffler, the New York... More by Jeffrey Arlo Brown

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Quincy Mackay

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